OPINION
Yannick Toure has the potential to be a Newcastle United sensation.
The Chronicle claim the 17-year-old Young Boys centre-forward “should sign” for the Premier League club this summer as they look to reinforce the youth-team ranks with stellar teens.
Crucially, Toure is not viewed by the Newcastle recruitment staff as just a player who can do a decent job for the Under-18s and Under-23s.
He is seen as someone with a genuine chance of establishing himself in the first team at United as the club aim to create a genuine pathway from the academy to the senior side.
Newcastle fans have seen few players progress from the academy into the first team in recent years, with Rolando Aarons and Freddie Woodman rare exceptions, although neither can be said to be a key player.
There is real hope that Toure can make the leap from young gun to senior star after demonstrating immense promise in his native Switzerland in recent times.
The 17-year-old was prolific in front of goal for the Young Boys’ youth sides in the recent season, and his record of seven goals in 14 matches for the Under-21s and 24 in 25 for the Under-18s is proof of his quality.
Capped by Switzerland at Under-17 level, Toure can play down the middle or on either flank, has blistering pace and quick feet.
His touch is rapidly improving and his technique is good enough to enable him to play confidently with his back to goal and run at opposing defenders.
There have been reports that Newcastle scouted him extensively before trying to do a deal in the January window.
A transfer could not be agreed at that point, but a permanent move is now firmly in the cards for a player worth getting excited about.
